The sponge filter is an excellent idea.
It would also provide back up in case of a power outage if I put it on a UPS or even jury rigged something with one of the battery powered airpumps. With all this talk of Florida hurricanes, it is definitely something to keep in mind. As is, I have supplemental filter back up in the form of an AC150.
Unfortunately, I just got back from the pet store and didn't even think of a sponge filter--I can always go back. New fish, I heard, are coming in tomorrow.
At the store, however, I bought some AmQuel Chlorine, Chloramine, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite reducer. I was out. Do these things work? I have tried some of the less fancy water conditioners with built in slime and have never noticed anything positive or negative. If nothing else, I can use it to treat the already aged tap water...
I also bought some Fish De-Stresser from Seachem. I wanted the two products to be in sperate bottles as I didn't want to do any doubling up and I wanted the option of adding Fish De-Stresser without also adding any other chemicals. I also bought another Seachem Purigen pad. The last one has turned yellow -- which I think must be a good sign. I will replace the old one with the new one and soak the old one in bleach as per the instructions. Following your suggestions Tank Girl, I added a little sea salt and reduced the water level by about four inches to help with oxygenation. I changed the activated carbon on one side of the Emperor and added Zoolite to the other side. I also put about 60 litres aside for changing tonight. As I said, I was out of water conditioner and don't really trust the stuff anyway. Jeff